Main square of San Sebastian, previously called "New", located in the nerve center of the Old Part of the city. Currently it bears the name of "18 de Julio", granted in a session of the City Council on June 15, 1937.
From Doctor Camino, we know that this square was built in 1722, buying and demolishing the buildings that made up the streets of Embeltrán and Amasorrain, which were located in that place. The layout was the work of Hércules Torrelli, who also designed the frontispiece of the Monastery of San Bartolomé. The cost of the work amounted to 1,016,619 reales, not counting the town hall, which cost more than 40,000 pesos.
The new square was intended to avoid the disturbances that occurred the military and civilians in the Plaza Vieja, where there were three barracks, as well as to improve the location of the Town Hall and the Consulate, which were previously located where the Lonja and the warehouses of the Company of the Philippines were later located.
All the buildings in the square were built at the expense of the City Council, which forced the retail food vendors to sell exclusively in this square, prohibiting it in the Plaza Vieja and in the streets. In February 1722, the City Council ordered the fulfillment of this measure, ratified by Royal Provision on October 16 of the same year, with the clarification that two or three shops should also be installed in the suburbs in suitable places.
The square had, as it does today, arcades on its four fronts, intercepted by four side streets. Two of them, continuations of Iñigo Street, allowed the passage of carts and carriages, while the others only allowed the transit of horses. Their level was not completely horizontal, but slightly sunken in relation to the surroundings.
On the west side was the town hall and the Consulate, with a spacious portico. This building was large and had excellent rooms, although its Churrigueresque style gave it a peculiar decoration. The other sides of the square were made up of three series of uniform arcades, as were the houses that were built on them.
The circumstances arising from the War of Independence, at the beginning of the 19th century, forced the City Council to sell the property of these houses in 1810, reserving certain rights, such as the use of the balconies for bullfights and festivals, as well as the collection of rents for their use.
In the city fire of 1813, the 25 buildings surrounding the square were completely destroyed. The façade of the town hall was reduced to rubble, with only the sides and back remaining standing, although severely damaged. The longer sides of the square were left in ruins, with only part of the side opposite the town hall remaining, although in a dangerous state.
The houses in the square were narrow and dark, with narrow staircases and poorly lit kitchens. After the catastrophe, many owners sold their plots without paying municipal taxes. This generated multiple claims, which led to a meeting the interested parties and the City Council, chaired by the mayor.
At this meeting it was agreed to release the plots from all liability, establish uniform façades according to the plan of the architect Ugartemendía and grant the City Council the right to rent the balconies during bullfights, reserving a "bullfighter's balcony" for the owners. The City Council was also authorized to levy a tax on the market benches, with the proceeds going to the Hospital and the Misericordia.
The reconstruction of the square was well received by the citizens. A public subscription was opened which raised 53,000 reales. At the beginning of 1817, with these funds, work began on filling the square. To raise the ground to the necessary level, property owners from other streets were allowed to deposit rubble in the area.
The foundations were made directly by the City Council, and when they were ready, the construction of the arches was put out to tender. Three local contractors proposed to take charge of the entire work in a single contract to ensure uniformity, and the City Council accepted the proposal.
The works were inaugurated with great enthusiasm on August 16, 1817. The square had dimensions of 205 feet long by 132 wide, with a total area of 26,060 square feet. The official delivery of the arches took place on November 6, 1818. The architect was so satisfied with the work that he awarded the contractors the 2% prize established in the tender, giving them 5,597.16 reales.
To maintain uniformity, the balconies were awarded to three craftsmen: Romualdo Zornoza and José María de Uranga, from San Sebastián, and Manuel Felipe Guevara, from Irún. Each of them was in charge of the balconies on a different floor.
For many years, all public events were held in this square, including bullfights. To this end, it was fenced off with iron bars and rows of wooden boxes and seats were installed. All the balconies were numbered, and the City Council rented them for these events.
The arches of the square housed the most distinguished shops in San Sebastian and were the meeting point for the city's elite. The last year in which the market's wages were auctioned off in this square was 1870-1871. From 1871-1872, with the opening of the Brecha market, the City Council continued to collect rent from the fruit and trinket stalls that were set up in the arches.
The square kept the name "Plaza Nueva" until 1820, when a marble plaque with gold letters was placed with the inscription "Plaza de la Constitución", in honour of the constitutional regime established in Spain. In 1897, by agreement of the City Council of April 13, it was decided to place the sign "Plaza Berria" in Basque, which means "New Square".
Ref.: Serapio Múgica.